Inversion, available for both PS3 and reviewed here on the Xbox 360, is a third-person shooter that allows for co-op play and attempts to put together big time action with the unique slant of gravity manipulation.

When I first saw inversion I thought, ok looks like we got Gears of War meets Inception meets Ghostbusters (from the proton pack perspective). Inversion while on the outside may not be the flashiest, innovative gaming experience I’ve witnessed, it does bring a solid foundation that shouldn’t be ignored.

Video Review

Concept

I remember learning in my psychology class years ago how sensation and perception work together and how we break down something we might see for the first time and how we react accordingly. Inversion finds a way to challenge what a player could perceive on a battleground yet does not completely capitalize on it. The main plot revolves around Davis Russel doing his best Arnold in commando impression after an alien race called the Lutadore, ( no not Luchadore your thinking about Lucha Libre with Jack Black) who bring futuristic gravity weapons that can control environments with a single shot, invade and enslave the people of earth. Now Davis will team up with friend Leo Delgado as they discover the new concepts of weapons, inverted environments, a new cousin like alien race all in the hopes of finding Davis’ daughter. You get a preview of the new weaponry early on as you try to understand its mechanics, whether you want to use zero gravity or apply gravity to an area is up to you, if you use the anti-gravity option to force enemies out of hidden areas for easy target practice, or grab now floating objects to use at your own discretion, like boulders, trash cans, or even mobs. The gravity side of your gun allows you to control areas affected by vector change and zero gravity to move to new areas. This aspect alone will have gamers thinking strategy before each fight, sadly though it’s not utilized enough to reward you.

Look Ma No Gravity

Inversion

Next you have the vector changes, parts of maps will be catty whampus due to gravity changes and you’ll find yourself like Spiderman circa 2002 when Tobey Maguire was climbing up that wall for the first time. You’ll get plenty of time to realize these changes but overall it makes for interesting gameplay where one minute you’re climbing up a stairway up an apartment complex, the next your hiding behind that same staircase in the prone position. The more you play, the more you scout out almost everything on the immediate screen thinking about a vector change. The wall on your left may have a generator that yes powers the adjacent building, BUT it could be a hiding place in case you’re in a 1 on 5 situation in a few seconds. On top of the gravity weapons you’re given, you have your classic guns to work with as well, rifles, shotguns etc. However one of my big gripes with this game is the fact the sound of the guns is tremendously weak. I’ve heard more intimidating gun sound effects in and SNES title. That aside, combine you regular weapons with your gravity gun there is some strategy that allows the player to dive into each fight with different options.

Multi-player

Inversion – Xbox 360

The combinations and strategies during each encounter can only be matched by the lack of multi-player. Not that there isn’t decent game options but the lack of players. After trying for several days it became frustrating to find a decent game. When you did you ended up with game modes that forced players to cheese up and take advantage of map designs and gameplay flaws that would make matches extremely one sided. It felt like Phantom Dust if anyone had played that classic Xbox title. Great gameplay, good concept but the issue was finding players online. While the two are different games the issue remains the same.

Overall

Inversion isn’t going to blow anyone away, but it does challenge the thinking of a player though not very often, and I expect if they come out with a second title they implement more areas with Vector changes and even more options with the gravity gun. This game will challenge Saber interactive if they want to make a second into thinking broader with their environments. If done right next time, the first timers will be the first ones to boast, “Well back in my day in the first Inversion we weren’t able to do such-and-such”.

Overall Ratings – Inversion (Xbox 360)

Gameplay:

7/10

Sound:

4/10

Graphics:

7/10

Multiplayer:

5/10

OVERALL SCORE:

58%

Additional Gameplay Footage

Carl Armstrong

Carl Armstrong has been with GI for over four years, serving as a review writer, on-site reporter and Associate Editor. He's worked as an award winning radio show producer for The Mighty 1090 sports station, Xtrasports 1360 and was the executive technical director for the San Diego Chargers radio network from 2008-2012.